006. Ask the Maker part 2
This show (and this hot man) totally deserve more attention and more icons ♥
» Screencap:
» Step 1
First of all I cut out the subject because I didn't need the original background for what I had in mind. I used the pen tool e then refined in quick mask mode, with a hard brush. I chose the new background and I added it on the canvas, with the subject on top of it.
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» Step 2
I wanted the hot man to blend with the background, so I took a square, soft and black brush, I added a mask to the subject's layer and I deleted the parts I didn't need, especially the edges.
The opacity of the brush is very important in this case (if you have a graphic tablet you are a step ahead, if don't, you need to change the opacity manually), to have a gradient effect.
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» Step 3
I copied all on top and played around with the variation (image - adjustments - variations) to adjust the coloring.
I added a few more brush strokes (with the same brush of the previous step) at the bottom of the subject, to blend it better.
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» Step 4
Then I worked on the coloring.
I added:
- a gradient map on multiply, because I didn't like the light background;
- a gradient fill layer on screen, to add the light source.
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» Step 5
I wanted a reddish coloring, so I took this texture and I set it on soft light, 100%:
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» Step 6
I copied all on top and I added a bit of sharpen (filter - high pass: 0.5 on soft light).
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» Step 7
The text. I chose to put it at the bottom of the subject, but the icon is not to bad without it!
The font is Atrek and I played around with the size and the letter-spacing.
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» Step 8
Final touches!
I added a few textures to add a bit of lights because it still looks flat to me.
- Screen, 40%
- Screen, 100%
- Screen, 55%
And it's done!
The redheads are always amazing to icon and she has gorgeous hair too!
» Screencap
» Step 1
This time I didn't cut out the subject, the background was so simple that it was useless! Besides, have you seen her hair? Too tricky. I put her on a new canvas and resized. I extended a bit the background with a brush of the same color of the sky, really simple this time.
» Step 2
I copied all on top and added the auto-contrast option, for a really quick adjustment!
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» Step 3
I started to work with the coloring:
- A layer of selective colors, to emphasize the red of the hair and the blue of the sky ( I prefer this option instead of the vibrance/saturation, because in this way I can emphasize the single colors. For example, If I want a bolder blue, I choose it from the panel and I add cyan and decrease magenta and yellow! Of course, if you want all the colors to be bolder, then go with the vibrance option!)
- A color fill layer #130108 on screen
- Some cyan brush strokes with a soft brush on the sides, set on hard light, for a bolder blue.
- White brush strokes, always on the sides and with a soft brush, set on soft light, to add lights.
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» Step 4
If you know me a little, you know what's coming!
Hair painting :D
I don't have an explanation for this, I just pick colors (sometimes from the original image, sometimes not) and I paint where I want more hair or a different color.
For this one, I used an orange on the front hair and the original color to add more hair on her back.
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» Step 5
I worked again on the coloring.
- I copied all on top and add the variations (image-adjustment-variations)
- On the left side, I added an orange gradient fill layer, on hard light, 80%
- On the right side, I added a cyan gradient fill layer, on soft light, 50%
- I added a layer of selective color to emphasize the blue, again!
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» Step 6
I added a blue texture (on multiply) to cover a bit the orange part of the background and sharpended the icon (high pass: 0.5 on soft light)
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» Step 7
For the text I chose Atrek, again :D I have no idea I use this font so much! The text is "psycho bitch" and I moved, duplicated and rotated it until I was happy with the result. I also changed the sized, the colors and the letter-spacing, to make it more interesting and not too boring! In this case, the text is a decorative part of the icon.
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» Step 8
Final touches:
- This texture on screen, 100%
- Selective color, cyan +100
- I copied all on top and add the auto-contrast option.